Awards

Saltire Awards East Lothian

There are four types of Saltire Award designed to celebrate the volunteering journey of young people

The Saltire Awards are the Scottish Government's way of celebrating, recognising and rewarding the commitment, contribution and achievements of young volunteers in Scotland, aged between 12 and 25.

Young people gain nationally recognised certificates, signed by Scottish Government Ministers, for the different amounts of volunteering they do.

Volunteering activity is of enormous benefit, not only to our local communities, but also to the young people themselves. They gain new skills and experiences that can really add value to their CV’s and help them at school or work. Meeting new people and making new friends and connections is also a great way to have fun and enhance young people’s wellbeing. 

There are so many reasons why volunteering is great for young people’s personal and professional development, not least that they’re making a positive difference to individual people, communities and the environment.

the saltire awards - the approach
the saltire awards - summit

The Approach

The Summit

For when you’ve reach 10 and 25 hours volunteering

For those that have made an outstanding contribution to volunteering

the saltire awards - the ascent
saltire-awards-the-challenge

The Ascent

The Challenge

For when you’ve reached 50,100, 200 or even 500 hours volunteering

For those getting started in volunteering through team challenges

Saltire Awards Ambassadors 

Through this programme, designed for young people by young people, those volunteers who have achieved the ‘Ascent’ can apply to become Saltire Ambassadors.

Ambassadors are involved in the Saltire Awards on every level from promotional and publicity activities through to decision making roles on the Summit Award panel, as well as advisory groups and committees. Full training and support for these roles are provided, giving Ambassadors the opportunity to further develop and build their skills and confidence.

Saltire Awards FAQs

Looking for more help or have specific questions about volunteering?

  • If you’re aged between 12 and 25 years, are already volunteering or about to begin your first volunteering activity

  • First you sign up for your own My Saltire Account which makes it really easy to keep track of all your volunteering activity by logging your hours. You’ll then be ready to apply for a Saltire Award certificate and start gaining recognition for the great things you’re doing!

  • Yes! By registering with the Saltire Awards you can also earn up to 3,000 Young Scot Reward Points with each Saltire Award you achieve. And you can link your volunteering activities to the Sustainable Development Goals

  • You can visit the official Saltire Awards website or get in touch with us at VCEL for more information and support